“To see oneself reproduced this way, it’s something that should be more appreciated than just by saying ‘thank you’,”Mugabe said at the unveiling. “I will say in an African way and in our own way, personally, thank you in a deeper way because it has gone deep in my heart.”

Despite Mugabe’s love for the art piece, it’s resemblance to a cartoonish creation has been widely ridiculed online.

Benhura, who has exhibited in galleries all over the world, has responded to criticism saying the statue represents his ‘signature style’ and there is no way he would have missed the opportunity to show the president his work. He said it took him six months to complete the Mugabe masterpiece.

In July, Mugabe claimed that delays in paying public wages were insufficient grounds for strike action undertaken by public sector workers. He also hinted at a ban on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter that are seen as tools in organizing strikes.

Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa recently completed a European tour seeking an IMF bailout, which had little success. Meanwhile the government has announced plans to cut 25,000 public sector jobs.